Directional field-induced metallization of quasi-one-dimensional Li0.9Mo6O17.

We report a detailed magnetotransport study of the highly anisotropic quasi-one-dimensional oxide Li(0.9)Mo(6)O(17) whose in-chain electrical resistivity diverges below a temperature T_{min} approximately 25 K. For T < T_{min}, a magnetic field applied parallel to the conducting chain induces a large negative magnetoresistance and, ultimately, the recovery of a metallic state. We show evidence that this insulator-metal crossover is a consequence of field-induced suppression of a density-wave gap in a highly one-dimensional conductor. At the highest fields studied, there is evidence for the possible emergence of a novel superconducting state with an onset temperature T_{c} > 10 K.

[1]  S. Horii,et al.  Irradiation-induced confinement in a quasi-one-dimensional metal. , 2007, Physical review letters.

[2]  Yi-Kuo Yu,et al.  Dimensional crossover in the purple bronze Li0.9Mo6O17. , 2007, Physical review letters.

[3]  S. Horii,et al.  Possible coexistence of local itinerancy and global localization in a quasi-one-dimensional conductor. , 2007, Physical review letters.

[4]  T. Giamarchi.  Theoretical framework for quasi-one dimensional systems. , 2004, Chemical reviews.

[5]  J. Musfeldt,et al.  Probing Localization Effects in Li0.9Mo6O ;17 Purple Bronze: An Optical-Properties Investigation , 2004 .

[6]  J. C. Dias,et al.  Suppression of a charge-density-wave ground state in high magnetic fields: Spin and orbital mechanisms , 2003, cond-mat/0311399.

[7]  L. Balicas,et al.  Three-dimensional fermi-liquid ground state in the quasi-one-dimensional cuprate PrBa(2)Cu(4)O(8). , 2002, Physical review letters.

[8]  M. Naughton,et al.  Critical field enhancement near a superconductor-insulator transition. , 2002, Physical review letters.

[9]  L. Balicas,et al.  Superconductivity in an organic insulator at very high magnetic fields. , 2001, Physical review letters.

[10]  J. Schlueter,et al.  Paramagnetic limiting of the upper critical field of the layered organic superconductor kappa-(BEDT-TTF)(2)Cu(SCN)(2) , 1999, cond-mat/9904186.

[11]  A. Bogdanov,et al.  CROSSOVER FROM WEAK TO STRONG LOCALIZATION IN QUASI-ONE-DIMENSIONAL CONDUCTORS , 1997 .

[12]  Dupuis,et al.  Quasi-one-dimensional superconductors in strong magnetic field. , 1993, Physical review letters.

[13]  Dupuis,et al.  Localization and magnetic field in a quasi-one-dimensional conductor. , 1992, Physical review. B, Condensed matter.

[14]  C. Schlenker,et al.  Pressure effect on the transport properties of superconducting Li0.9 Mo6O17 bronze , 1989 .

[15]  Marcus,et al.  Optical investigation of quasi-one- and two-dimensional systems A0.9Mo , 1988, Physical review. B, Condensed matter.

[16]  M. Onoda,et al.  On the anomalous transport properties of Li0.9Mo6O17 , 1986 .

[17]  L. Mikaelyan,et al.  SEARCH FOR UNUSUAL EVENTS IN A FLUX OF REACTOR ANTI-NEUTRINOS , 1986 .

[18]  Falicov,et al.  Density waves in high magnetic fields: A metal-insulator transition. , 1985, Physical Review Letters.

[19]  M. Greenblatt,et al.  Preparation of lithium molybdenum oxide bronzes by a temperature gradient flux growth technique , 1984 .

[20]  J. Waszczak,et al.  Quasi two-dimensional electronic properties of the lithium molybdenum bronze, Li0.9Mo6O17 , 1984 .

[21]  L. Gor’kov,et al.  On the stability of the quasi-onedimensional metallic phase in magnetic fields against the spin density wave formation , 1984 .

[22]  T. Tiedje,et al.  Magnetoresistance of TTF-TCNQ , 1975 .

[23]  P. Fulde,et al.  Magnetic field dependence of the Peierls instability in one-dimensional conductors , 1973 .